To The Reader
It may be that you, as a sincere seeker of truth, have identified with some of the experiences found in this booklet. In the course of your search perhaps you've tried some or all of the paths and beliefs in the true-life stories in this book. The fact of the matter is that yoga, religion, the higher self, channelling, psychology, reincarnation, self-realisation and healing therapies will not bring you closer to God or the truth. There is something in your life actively preventing such a breakthrough. It is absolutely vital that you understand this. Back in the beginning a perfect relationship existed between man and God. The world that God created was a perfect Paradise and Adam and Eve were sinless beings.
However, our first parents rebelled, broke the only law God gave them, and went their own way. The human race they fathered has lived in a state of alienation from God ever since. Like Adam and Eve you have also broken God's laws and therefore, in the words of the Bible: "Your iniquities [wrongdoings] have separated between you and your God" (Isaiah 59:2).
God's law says, 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain'. Have you ever said 'Jesus' or 'Christ' as a substitute for a four-letter swear word? Then you've broken this commandment. God's law also says, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery'. Have you ever done that? The Bible says in another place that just looking at a woman lustfully is committing adultery in your heart! Who can claim to be free of guilt on this score?
God's law says, 'Thou shalt not steal'. Have you ever done that? If you've stolen something, no matter how small its value was, what does that make you? Yes, that's right, a thief! God's law says, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness'. To 'bear false witness' means to tell lies. Have you ever done that? Why, of course, you say, everyone has. What does that make you? A liar!
Furthermore, the Bible says that on judgement day God is going to 'judge the secrets of men' (Romans 2:16). Think about that. Not only will you face the music for breaking God's laws; He is also going public with all your secrets. When this happens, do you think you will be declared innocent or guilty by the judge of the universe?
If you have faced this examination honestly, your conscience has already agreed with God and owned its guilt. You stand condemned by your own thoughts, words and deeds. Now ask yourself this question; what will my destiny be for eternity, heaven or hell?
At this point, many people, having realised they have broken God's laws and are facing judgement, start trying to merit God's favour by all sorts of good works and religious activity. Perhaps you've already tried this. The reason you have been frustrated and unsuccessful is because the root problem of your sin is still outstanding. Perhaps you've lived all this time, hoping that on judgement day God will balance your good deeds against your bad deeds and let you into heaven. Or perhaps you think He is so good and loving, He'll just let you off and sweep it all under the carpet. But, think about it this way. A man is in Court for serious fraud. As the judge is about to sentence him, the guilty man says, "Hey, wait! You've forgotten about all the good things I did and how religious I was. And besides, you are too good and loving to condemn me." Do you see the point? A crime is a crime. It has to be paid for; so the judge fines the man £50,000. The law demands it.
In the same way, God's law demands the death penalty on your law breaking (sin). God's prison for guilty sinners is hell. And it goes on forever. If you are thinking "I'll take my chance, hell can't be that bad ", you need to read Luke 16:19-31 in the New Testament. Hell is a place you want to avoid at all costs. The situation looks hopeless doesn't it? You're basically doomed. Perhaps you're thinking, "How can I get round this dilemma? " The truth is you can't. You can't play games with God. He won't compromise with your sin. You must pay the fine. Think about that for a while.
But wait! Let's go back to the courtroom. Imagine a rich man comes into that scene and, seeing the criminal condemned and guilty and repentant about for his sins, offers to pay the £50,000 fine for him. That would free the criminal from the demands of the law wouldn't it? He would be a free man: providing he was willing to accept the payment, of course.
In Romans 5:6 the Bible says "Christ died for the ungodly." Who died? Christ. Had he broken any of the 10 Commandments? No. Did he have any secret sins? No. Why then, did He die? Read the verse again. Are you ungodly? Yes, we've already established that. Read the verse again. Do you see anything?
Now read verse 8: "But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". Do you see what the Bible is saying? God loved you so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to pay your fine. When Jesus died on the cross he died in the place of guilty hell-deserving sinners. No one but Christ could have done that, because only He is the sinless Son of God.
Let's draw this to a close by looking at one of the Bible's most famous verses, John 3:16. Read this verse slowly and carefully: "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son [Jesus] that whoever [that's you] believes in Him should not perish [go to hell] but have everlasting life."
What does it say you have to do to get everlasting life and be sure of not perishing? Just three words; believe in Him. That means this - if you have a proper sense of the dreadfulness of your sin against a holy and righteous God and you are willing to turn from that sin for ever, God wants you to know that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died for guilty sinners on the cross, 2000 years ago. Are you a guilty sinner? What did Christ do on the cross for you? Can you not see how Christ's death on the cross meets the demands of God against your sin?
If you understand who Christ is and what He has done by dying and rising again, I urge you to repent and believe in Him at once. There's nothing more to do. One final verse may help you to see the simplicity of true salvation. John 3:36 says, "He who believes on the Son [Jesus] has everlasting life: and he who believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Can you see two halves to this verse? Which half are you in, the second half or the first? Do you have everlasting life? Are you saved? What are you depending on to get you to heaven?
Read the verse again. God is stating a promise to you today, just now where you are. You have no time to lose. Life is too uncertain. You only have now to make things right with God; to repent and trust Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Won't you turn and believe this very hour? He's your only hope. Don't trust religion or good works: trust Christ at once. Accept His payment for your sin. Since Christ has met the demands of God's law and paid its penalty, you can be free today.
If you have repented and trusted Christ as your Lord and Saviour:
After being saved, you should immediately take the following steps:
- Thank Him for what He has done for you and ask yourself the question, "What can I now do for Him."
- Start speaking daily to Him in prayer from your heart, bringing Him praise and thanksgiving, as well as asking Him for blessings.
- Get a Bible and start reading and studying it. It's best to begin with the Gospels (e.g. Mark or John) and read through the New Testament. Ask God to give you understanding on how to apply it practically to your life.
- Find a Bible believing Church and attend its meetings every week.
- Tell others what the Lord has done for you.
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